School Board Hears Wish List

W-jcc Considering Construction Projects

JAMES CITY — The Williamsburg-James City County School Board reviewed the district's wish list Tuesday night when it comes to major construction projects over the next five years.

In the next several weeks, school officials will present the board with a recommended five-year capital improvement plan that then goes before the board during the annual budget process.

Included in the current five-year plan adopted last year is $41.3 million for the third high school, though W-JCC officials say that is just a preliminary cost estimate and not the actual cost.

"That's still just a rough estimate," said W-JCC spokesman Tim Bullis.

The School Board hopes to bring a bond referendum to voters next November and ask them to approve spending for the new high school. School officials are planning for the new school to be located on a portion of the county's Warhill tract near Centerville and Richmond roads.

Officials want a new school to open by the fall of 2007. According to the five-year plan, $37.3 million is scheduled to be spent in the 2005-06 fiscal year for school construction alone. However, architects have indicated that the construction cost should only be about $25.8 million.

"Those are high-end estimates," Bullis said of the current capital improvement plan amounts.

Also included in the five-year plan is $5.3 million for an athletic complex, and $3.5 million for a building to house the GED and alternative education programs, as well as student services.

Budget woes forced the district to delay several projects in this year's budget, including a $455,000 project for carpet, tile and painting refurbishment at Norge Elementary School. Assistant Superintendent Michael Thornton said officials plan to include the Norge work again this year.

Other projects scheduled for the 2004-05 fiscal year include:

* $68,000 to replace the gymnasium roof at James River Elementary.

* $245,000 for field drainage improvements at Lafayette High School. Another $130,000 is earmarked for the replacement of tennis courts at Lafayette next year.

* $114,000 for a new lighting system at Cooley Field.

Brian Whitson can be reached at 223-5683 or by e-mail at bwhitson@dailypress.com